Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: ROAD TRIP (vacation) (07/02/15)
-
TITLE: Summer of Our Contentment | Previous Challenge Entry
By Brenda Rice
07/09/15 -
LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE
SEND A PRIVATE COMMENT
ADD TO MY FAVORITES
We did not have the money to take a plane trip or a road trip. Never
mind that gas was cheaper, our family van had seen better days. My hubby said she probably wouldn’t make the trip, and repairs would be too expensive.
I exhausted myself trying to think of something we all would enjoy, and something that would help the kids feel less deprived while all their friends were gone on vacations. Since I was at my wits end, I prayed and you know what God said? He referred me to Paul the Apostle when he said to be content if you abound or if you have need, and be happy.
When I told my hubby what I’d heard from the Lord, he smiled his quirky smile, grabbed me and kissed me. “Thank you, Lord for answering Beth’s prayer. Now we know what to do, honey. Let’s get busy.”
My mind was stuck at answered prayer. What answer? Oh, this must be another glass half full or half empty test. Of course it was, and I failed again. Bart, the eternal optimist had seen what I couldn’t see. I guess the water in my half empty glass was cloudy. “Okay Bart. What are we doing?”
“We are having a stay-cation. You know staying home but making a great adventure out of it.” The bewildered look on my face prompted Bart to laugh out loud. “Beth, you are very creative and I’m your handy man…come on now get those creative juices flowing.”
After more prayer, I felt God reassure me that this would be a special stay-cation not only for our family, but for others that we would touch. I stopped feeling guilty about no expensive vacation, and realized that the money we were able to spend would be used for God’s glory.
Since vacation time was a week away, we had to brainstorm and work fast. We kept our plans secret from Bailey and Blake until the last minute. Bart worked like Superman building things to create an obstacle course in our backyard. I made calls to child development centers and located some willing to allow our kids to entertain the children with games and puppet shows.
A few blocks from our neighborhood was a large apartment complex. I thought a fun day in our backyard would benefit the kids there, as well as ours. I planned to provide food, activities and transportation. The manager said he would place flyers at all mailboxes and give our number to those needing transportation.
Soon our backyard would become an obstacle course complete with a water feature furnished by a local hardware store that delivered and set it up. A huge water slide came courtesy of an event planner we knew. On the day of the set-up, I took the kids to my mom’s for a visit. We returned well after dark.
Apparently our neighbors next door saw the amazing wonders happening across the fence and spread the word, because early the next morning we had plenty of kids wanting to play. It seems we weren’t the only family staying home for vacation.
Even the adults wanted to volunteer with the food and transportation, so our expenses went down and I had more than enough help, so my work load was decreased considerably. Everything fell into place so easy it was more fun than a barrel of monkeys.
Our kids plus some neighborhood kids went to several child development centers and presented puppet shows about Bible stories. They had the opportunity to pray with children who were hearing about Jesus for the first time.
Back in our yard, the obstacle course was a big hit. The kids from the complex were delighted to be invited. Most of them came without parents, but the parents who did come transported other children too. They stayed and enjoyed the adventure with us.
At the closed of the day, our kids presented the puppet show. The results were gratifying. Many of the children from our neighborhood and from the complex accepted Jesus into their hearts. Some adults accepted Him too.
Now I’m proud to say, “We stayed home this year, and it was the best vacation we never took!”
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
Accept Jesus as Your Lord and Savior Right Now - CLICK HERE
JOIN US at FaithWriters for Free. Grow as a Writer and Spread the Gospel.
God bless~